Scarf



Sept. 27, 1938. sQB. PRESTON I v 2,131,118

'SCARF Filed Nov. 9, 1936 INVENTOR S. B. Prsioh ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 27, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT-OFFICE SGARF f Sam B. Preston, Birmingham, Ala. Application November 9, 1936, Serial No. 109,942

'5 Claims My invention relates to a novel and distinctive type of mufiier or scarf which is characterized by the provision of a neck band adapted to be clasped about the wearer's neck and formed or faced with the scarf material, the scarf being of the wide flowing type and having its upper end gathered and sewn to the neck band so as to drape from the top edge thereof in a manner to simulate a mufller or hand tied scarf that has been arranged effectively to cover and protect the wearers collar and chest.

The chief object of my invention is to obtain with a very small amount of material all of the advantages of the present long muffler scarfs as worn by men generally for theprotection of their collars and for added warmth in winter.

My invention further contemplates so designing and adapting the scarf that it is available for summer wear in place of a collar and is adapted, when so worn with a jacket or coat, to enable the wearing of a shirt to be dispensed with.

The distinguishing feature of my invention lies in the provision of a relatively short worn scarf end having a length sufficient to be caught under the coat lapels and having a width sufficient to completely cover the front of the collar and neck opening of the coat or overcoat, like a muffler. This wide short scarf end is gathered at its upper end and preferably sewn into the top seam of the neck band so as to fall with draped plaited effect thereover and straight down. For many purposes it will be desirable to stiffen the neck band, particularly where worn without a collar, to hold the scarf up closely under the chin.

The objects and advantages of my improved type of scarf will be better understood by the following detailed description and the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing which illustrates my invention in its preferred embodiment only, and in which:

Fig. l is a front view showing my improved scarf in service as a mufiler with the neck band clasps applied for fastening from the right hand side.

Fig. 2 is a detail view of the scarf elements comprising the scarf proper and the neck band, the latter being shown in opened-out position with its inside face uppermost and broken away to show the preferred manner of stitching the plaited scarf and stiffening element inside the neck band and showing the clasps applied reversely to the showing in Fig. 1 for fastening from the left hand side.

Fig. 3 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2, showing the neck band inverted and the plaited scarf draping over its upper edge and thus presentingthe scarf with its parts in the position of use as viewed in front elevation.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relation of. the stitched elements as shown in 5 an end view of Fig. 3 looking to the left.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated,

I take a relatively wide strip of fabric, either 10, woven or knitted and single or double ply according to the fabric which should be of any character suitable for use in mens scarfs or mufllers. These scarfs at the present time are generally about four feet in length so that they. may be passed around the neck and then either tied or draped so as to protect the neck opening with their free ends caught and held in place under the coat or overcoat. This requires a substantial amount of material which is generally expensive, and the scarf as a whole is somewhat bulky and too large to be conveniently carriedin the pocket of the overcoat, when not being worn.

My improved muffler scarf comprises a relatively short .strip ofsuitable scarf fabric indicated at 5 which has a length sufficient to ex- I tend from the collar top of the wearer to a point below the first button level of the. coat or overcoat. Therefore, it need not be more than 12" to 18 inlength and requires only a minor fraction of the material ordinarily used to make a scarf.

The neck band element of my scarf is'preferably formed of a narrow strip ofthe same scarf material and, if it is made straight, as is permissible, it may be formed by folding this strip 35: upon itself to form the inner and outer plies 6 and 1, respectively, of the neck hand. These plies are sewn together at one edge which as worn becomes the upper edge with a suitable seam 8, but before thisseam is completed one end of 401- the scarf section 5 is gathered in plaits and sewn in place so when the neck band is inverted, it will fall in plaits over what then is the top of the neck band. Preferably, the plaited end of the scarf is inserted between the neck band plies and is secured by the same seam 8 which closes the top of the neck band.

The neck band has attached to its front outer face in position to be overhungv by the scarf, one or more snap fastener elements 9, and'the free end of the neck band is provided on its inner side with complemental clasp members II]. It is contemplated that sufficient of these clasp members will be provided so that the neck band can be adjustedto fit the neck size of the wearer, the 55 number used being immaterial since they will be concealed by the scarf. Also the neck band can be attached so as to be fastened from either side desired, or in any suitable way, the form shown in Fig. 1 having the neck band projecting to the right, instead of to the left, of the scarf,-as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, and therefore adapted to be fastened from the right, whereas the scarf of Fig. 2 must be fastened from the left.

Where it is desired tostifien the neck band so that the scarf will beheld up better at the throat, a stiffening strip II is inserted in the or otherwise.

throat of the wearer and if desired the strip may be coextensive with the gathered'e'nd'of the scarf, though a shorter stiffening. Ipiece'Emay serve all needed purposes.

While I prefer the manner of attachment of scarftoneckband abovedescribed, it will be understood that the scarf may 'be used without the stiffener strip and maybe attached to the neck band in any manner sothat, in use it will fall in plaits from the'topv of the, neck band as worn. p

Having manufactured the scarf in themanner described, the wearer applies it'by turning the neck band under from the'position of Fig. 2 until it is inverted and folded against the back side of the scarf, as in Fig.,-3, and thendrawing the neck band around the throat, either from the right .or left according to the position of attachment thereto of the scarf with the center of the scarf held in line with the center of the opening between the coat lapels l2. The free end of the neck band is passed under the scarf and its fastener element or elements, 10 are interlocked with the appropriate complemental clasp element or elements 9 on theneck band under the mientstandard mufflers for;winter. use, and will form a soft attractiverscarf, for use with or without shirts, for summer wear. The scarfs for the latter purpose can be made of: light or white material which will be soft-and drape gracefully and attractively, and the width of the scarf is such that theabsence of any shirt being worn under the coat will not be observed.

While I have shown my invention in but two forms, it will .be obvious to.thos e skilled in the art that it is not so. limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications, without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A muflier scarf of the character described, comprising a strip of suitable scarf material having sufficient width after plaiting substantially to cover the front of the neck and the opening between the wearers coat lapels, in combination with a neck band, the upper end of the scarf strip being gathered and attached along the upper edge of the neck band in position as the neck band is worn to fall in gathered folds from the top outside edge of the neck band, and meansalongxtheupper edge of the neck band concealed by the depending scarf strip to fasten the neck band in position around the neck.

2. A mufiier scarf of. the; character described,

comprising a stripnvof suitable scarf material having sufficientwidth substantially to cover the front of the neck and-the; opening between the wearer's coat lapels, in combination with a neck band, the upper end of the scarf strip being gathered and attached to one end portion of the neck band alongits upper edge in position as worn to fall in gathered folds; over, and conceal the front of, the eck band, fastening elements on the outside of one end 'of the band along the upper edge and concealed by the depending scarf strip, and complementary :fasteners on the inner upper edge of the neck band.

3-.- In a muflier scarf in combination with a neck band, a scarf portion attached to and depending from the upper edge of the neck band, and gathered where it joins the band, fastening elements on the outer. layer of the neck band under thescarf, and complemental fastening elements on the free end of the neck band, thereby to bringthe neckbandlap in concealed position under the scarf. I

4. A mufiier scarfyacc'ording to claim 3, in which a suitable stiffener. element is interposed in the front portion 0f :the neckzband and held by the fastening for the gathered end of the scarf portion to support said scarf portion at the front. f.

5. A muffler scarf comprising a. neck band portion, spaced fastening elements on .the upper outer edge of one end of. the bandportion complementary fastening. elementsv on the upper inner edge of the bandrportion, and ascarfportion secured to and depending from the upper edge of the band portion, said scarf portion being gathered at the point of attachment and concealing the fastening elements.

SAM B. PRESTON. 

